5 Reasons Why Flood Cleanup Shouldn’t Be a DIY Job

All 50 states in the U.S. experience floods or flash floods. This is the number one natural disaster around the country, with flood insurance claims averaging more than $3.5 million each year.

If your home is flooded, you may be tempted to take a DIY approach to flood cleanup. However, there are several reasons it’s best to call the pros.

Getting flood cleanup right can be challenging, which is why you need to seek help from people who know what they are doing. However, if you aren’t convinced that this isn’t a DIY job, keep reading. Here you can learn some top reasons you should call the pros.

1. You Put Yourself at Risk

If your home or business is inundated with water, it’s considered a danger zone. The hazards you face when your home is flooded are vast. While the professionals will know how to handle each of the potential issues, you may not even be aware of what they are.

Some of the main dangers include:

Electrical Danger

Until you have a qualified electrician come in to disconnect your flooded house from the power grid, you are in danger. This includes removing the electrical meter if needed. Until this is done, the risk of being electrocuted is real.

Toxic Air and Water

Flood water is full of dangerous substances, such as biological hazards, chemicals, and raw sewage, among others. If you go into your house while it is still flooded, you may come in contact with these hazardous materials and the air may be toxic, too.

A water damage professional will have OSHA approved protective clothing, which includes respirators or face masks, along with eye protection to ensure safety during the restoration process.

Structural Hazards

When the building materials become saturated, they also become unstable and heavy. Various structural components of your home may collapse at any moment, causing serious injuries.

Vermin Infestation

Stinging insects, rodents, and snakes may get into a flooded house. They can pose dangers if you aren’t properly protected.

By hiring the professionals, you will have a team that carefully and thoroughly inspects your home to find any damage that may be present. This alone is enough of an incentive to ensure the proper steps are taken.

2. The Inability to Find and Stop Flood-Related Damage

After your home is flooded, the clock is running. You have limited time to get the restoration process started. In fact, in just 24 hours, your home may sustain extensive, long-term water damage. Also, at this point, mildew and mold can start to grow.

By hiring a flood damage restoration company, you have a team with the experience, equipment, and manpower to quickly get to work cleaning and restoring your home. Also, the professionals hired can effectively remove any hazardous materials, bacterial threats, and mold from the home. This provides peace of mind that you and your family can return with no significant health risks.

3. You Don’t Have the Proper Equipment

When you call the professionals for flood restoration services, they will use professional tools and equipment. These items are specifically designed for the job, rather than being all-purpose tools rented from a nearby hardware store.

Some of the equipment the professional’s use includes industrial-grade dehumidifiers, powerful water extractors, and high-volume air movers. The professionals also have specialized monitoring technology that allows them to easily track and verify the remediation process.

4. Save Money and Reduce Losses

For most homeowners, the restoration and repair costs associated with flood damage are the top reasons they fail to call for professional help. Many believe they can save money by handling the clean-up process on their own.

This simply isn’t the case. By hiring a flood damage restoration service right after a home is flooded, you can significantly reduce your flood-related costs and losses. The sooner the water is removed, and the area is dried out, the less damage your home is going to be subjected to.

A timely response can help save your home from furniture damage, structural damage, mold, and wall damage.

5. Making the Insurance Claim

One of the most difficult parts of dealing with a flooded home is the insurance claim. By hiring the professionals, they will provide you with all the information needed to ensure your claim is successful.

The specialists can give you an itemized list of the repairs needed and let you know how much everything will cost. If your insurance adjuster is delayed due to the number of claims in your local area, this information is especially helpful.

With the proper documentation, it means you don’t have to wait on the adjuster to come to your home to get the restoration process started.

Flood Cleanup: It’s Not Something You Can Handle on Your Own

If your home has been flooded, there’s no question that it is a difficult situation. However, you should not put off calling the professionals for flood cleanup services. The longer you wait, the more extensive the damage will get and more expensive the repairs will be.

Make sure to put time and effort into finding the right flood remediation company. Avoid using anyone who comes “knocking” on your door after a flood. These individuals usually don’t have the best intentions.

Instead, reach out to our team. We are experts in the flood restoration industry and can provide you with the timely and quality services you need to help mitigate the damage and get you back in your home quickly.